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Elgin Area School Board Taking Heat For Hiring New Administrator

ELGIN, Ill. (CBS) -- Members of the Elgin Area U-46 school board got an earful from angry parents who are questioning a decision to hire a "chief of equity and social justice."

As WBBM Newsradio 780's Julie Mann reports, the role of the new administrator is overcome the educational gaps and foster racial equity in what is the state's second largest school system, according to the Daily Herald.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Julie Mann reports

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The annual salary for the administrator is $120,000.

But a handful of parents and community members believe the new hire is absurd, and a waste of money. They say the financial woes at the district are cutting school programs and staffing levels, and increasing class sizes, the Daily Herald reported.

Board members, however, defended their decision to hire new equity and social justice chief Ushma Shah, the newspaper reported.

They contended that the district is legally obligated to educate every student, and when such is not happening, it needs to be scrutinized.

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